Monthly Archives: October 2013

I have the most terrible time remembering my passwords. I used to use the same one everywhere except for my bank and credit cards, but for some reason I had to change several, and even though I do my best to write them down, it’s still a pain to have to stop and look them up when I can’t remember. I have my browsers save them for me if it’s not a high priority log in, but with everybody and their brother grabbing my laptop when they’re at the house, things have a way of getting deleted. GRRRR. OR someone logs in somewhere I login with THEIR password. I just went through what I thought was an up to date file of passwords as I was adding a few new sites and I know for certain that some have been changed since I wrote them down the first time. OK. Maybe it’s not remembering my passwords. Maybe it’s just remembering. CRS– YES- I suffer from it.

Now consider this from Wiki-Guidelines for choosing good passwords are designed to make passwords less easily discovered by intelligent guessing. Common guidelines include: A minimum password length of 12 to 14 characters if permitted. Generate passwords randomly where feasible. Avoid passwords based on repetition, dictionary words, letter or number sequences, usernames, relative or pet names, romantic links (current or past), or biographical information (e.g., ID numbers, ancestors’ names or dates). Include numbers, and symbols in passwords if allowed by the system If the system recognizes case as significant, use capital and lower-case letters. Avoid using the same password for multiple sites or purposes. Avoid using something that the public or workmates know you strongly like or dislike. Some guidelines advise against writing passwords down, while others, noting the large numbers of password protected systems users must access, encourage writing down passwords as long as the written password lists are kept in a safe place, not attached to a monitor or in an unlocked desk drawer. The possible character set for a password can be constrained by different web sites or by the range of keyboards on which the password must be entered.

I remember when all you used to have to do to get in somewhere was open a door, or knock on it….